Reviews

Cowboy, Cross My Heart: A Western Romance Novel by Donna Grant

trudyd's review against another edition

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4.0

Small towns aren't always the best. Naomi soon finds out that there is bad things happened surrounding the rodeo. Lives are in danger, especially hers. Meeting Brice Harper is the best thing that happens for both for them and the town.

The story is filled with lots of action, drama and some very swoony moments. The characters surrounding Naomi are very likable. Their determination makes the story a real joy to read.

haneyhayespr's review against another edition

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4.0

Cowboy, Cross My Heart by Donna Grant is a good fit for readers looking for a lighthearted, contemporary romance set in the world of Texas rodeos, centered around a strong-willed new adult photographer and a rugged cowboy who teams up with her to protect her friend from a stalker.

kayladbruns's review against another edition

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3.0

I received an ARC via St Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Donna Grant book but I saw it was about cowboys so I was sold. I didn’t know that that this was series but it was okay because it read like a standalone.

I liked Bryce and Naomi together. They were both at a place in their lives where they were open to love again and when they met it felt like they found their other half.

“With Naomi, everything fit easily, as if it were meant to be.”

This was a cowboy romance with a bit of suspense thrown in. I liked it but I didn’t love it. I think it had to do with different POVs that we get here. It was so hard to keep up with the story at times because it kept switching from person to person.

The story was majority focused on the mystery of who was stalking Whitney so the romance wasn’t as big of a part of the story as I would like.

Now I was a fan of the friendships here. Naomi went through so much for Whitney. To keep her safe and find out who ruined her life. There was never a time that she but her friendship on the back burner to get with Bryce. Also, Bryce’s family made me smile. Especially Abby! They were so welcoming and willing to help.

So while it wasn’t a favorite of mine, it was a good story. I’m excited to see who the next story will be about. Hopefully, it will be Caleb!

**Quote was taken from an ARC and is subject to change upon publication.

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teresajluvs2read's review against another edition

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4.0

**I received a copy of Cowboy, Cross My Heart from St. Martins Press and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review**

Cowboy, Cross My Heart by Donna Grant is the second book in her Heart of Texas series. I've read the first book and can recommend that this addition can be read as a stand alone without any problems. Plus I can't wait for the third book even though it won't be out until next February 2019.

Naomi Pierce is home to visit her mother and to see her BFF Whitney. Years ago the girls all competed in the rodeo until one night a drunk driver hit their car killing Sue Ellen. She left town becoming a accomplished photographer but all is not well with Whitney who's now the Rodeo Queen, there are secrets and there are men who will kill to keep those involved quiet. But when Naomi becomes the target because she has a photo that could cause blow this scandal up, she meets Brice who sensing an attraction agrees to protect her.

Brice Harper a former Marine, champion roper with his brother Caleb knows that when he meets Naomi he'll protect her with his life if necessary. But he doesn't realize how deep within the towns businessmen until they attack Naomi and then himself and brings in his brother-in-law, Caleb and his two best friend to protect her and Whitney. But even hiding her at his new ranch proves hard, can he keep her safe and take down the men responsible for taking advantage of those girls competing for the Rodeo crown.

blodeuedd's review against another edition

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3.0

I do not want to spoil too much here since it is not mentioned in the blurb, but there is a lot of suspense. Something sinister is going on at the rodeo and Bryce and Naomi will be caught in the middle of it.

Naomi loves taking photos and she is good at it. But then she comes back to Texas to visit her friend Whitney. And oh those cowboys. Horses! She sure misses it. And then she spots Bryce. Ok so it happened really fast! But it is romance, I can love with it. It sure is a time of turmoil so why can't they fall fast and hard. Something will connect them and I will not say what.

Bryce is actually someone you met in book 1, but that was 12 years ago. It was fun seeing his sister and husband again, and getting his story too. He wants a ranch of his own, he rides the rodeo, well you get it, he is a cowboy.

And boom sparks fly!

Whitney, well ...

SpoilerOk so I get it, I do not blame her. They were men of power, but you only had to leave the rodeo to be free! Is that crown really worth it!? Is your friend's life really worth it? Your friend!


The danger is real in this one. The bad guys are evil, and frankly pretty dumb. Omg plan better! You deserve everything you have coming.

A good thrilling book with both romance and suspense.

Narrator
I always like her cowboys book. She does them really well

tiggeruo's review against another edition

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4.0

I loved the cover of this book so I grabbed it without reading on what it was about. I was not disappointed at all. I found the book completely hard too put down it was so good. From the beginning to the end it had you wondering each page was going to happen next for sure totally a on the edge of your seat and a real page turner. I really enjoyed Abby and how protective she was over her family, and its not just blood but those who you make family. I loved Jase and Cooper and how big of a role they played in this family as well. This book does have strong language and adult situations, however this book was so worth the read and did not disappoint at all. I can't wait to read more about this wonderful family. I did not read this first one and can't wait to grab it and read about Clayton and Abby's story. I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion

canadianbookaddict's review against another edition

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5.0

Review to be posted closer to release date

loverofromance's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

 This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
Cowboy Cross My Heart is the second installment in the "Heart of Texas" series. This is a book about the bad boy cowboy from the first book. If you have read the first book, the hero is the troubled kid from the first one who went rebellious and made some bad choices wanting to provide for his siblings. I absolutely adored seeing Brice reach his HEA and seeing him being such a responsible hard working adult. I will be honest in that this one was entertaining, thrilling, kept me on edge and had a solid romance. It definitely has Donna Grant's typical writing style.

First Line
Excitement rushed through everyone as the lights suddenly cut out in the arena.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Brice Harper
Brice Harper is a redeeming hero. As a teenager, made mistakes with good intentions, served in the military and determined to run his own ranch with his brother. He is sexy, protective and caring.

The Heroine: Naomi Pierce
Naomi grew up in a Texas small town, naturally born in the saddle, living in D.C.. She has a strong will, a fighter when needed and has always yearned for love and a good life

Summary
Naomi Pierce has come to Texas to visit her best friend who is part of a Rodeo Queen beauty pageant. When there is a evil plot against her best friend because she and the other contestants have been assaulted by men secretly in power and using them for sexual favors. Naomi gets targeted as she has some photo evidence, where she runs into the Harper brothers. Brice is protective and strong, and when he runs into Naomi, he is determined to protect her no matter what. When it becomes apparent that her life is in danger, he and his family use all their influence to protect them. But as tensions escalate as the danger increases, the pieces of the puzzle start to fall into place. But will Naomi and Brice survive and find a way towards their HEA?

What I Loved
Cowboy, Cross My Heart was a delightful story. It really reminded me why I fell in love with this series originally and not sure why I haven't finished the series yet. I really had a blast with Brice's book. We see him being such a responsible young man and I loved how he is with Naomi. He is so wonderful for her. I really enjoyed that. I also found it most interesting to see how he is with his siblings and became so endeared by their relationships with each other. To see him change from the young boy who made so many mistakes for his family, I just fell hard for it.

We also have a kick-ass plot. There is something so captivating about the danger-themed plot that this author implements, and she really builds on the tension regarding the mystery and intrigue. We also have a solid friendship that we see with Naomi and her best friend. I loved their bonds to each other and what a great friendship they have and have been building for years. I really admired Naomi and her strong spirit. She has such a great balance to her. She is strong and feisty but not kick ass. She is such a relatable independent heroine that I just loved seeing her within this story and her great growth in this story and the moments where we see her face adversity.

What I Struggled With
The romance was more in the backstory. While I really enjoyed their chemistry, and the spice in this book is powerful, I felt like the relationship aspects could have had a bit more focus that what we see.

Narration
Truly delightful. Not the perfect narration, but it was solid and she did a great job in building the danger feels to the story.

Overall View
Cowboy Cross My Heart is a superb read that really delivered in what I was looking for. Its a story of thrills, superb plot portrayal and an romance that endears the reader in a very solid way.

Favorite Quote(s)
Her beauty might have caught his attention, but it was her strength, steadfastness, heart, and authenticity that kept pulling him back to her

There are a great many things I regret, but being attracted to you isn’t one of them.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Character Types: Bull Rider, Cowboy, Rancher
Themes: Small Town, Family Bonds, Western,
Tropes: Redemption, Forced Proximity

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Plot Conflict

Song This Book Inspires
Dust on the Bottle

Recommendation For Reading Order
You can do either, these are easily read as standalones

Steam/Spice Explanations

Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.

Narrators:
Rebecca Estrella 

mags_louise's review against another edition

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4.0

4.25⭐

Cowboy, Cross My Heart was a really enjoyable story that pulled me in from the start. Thanks to all the likable characters, and a suspenseful storyline. That was not only well paced, but entertaining, engaging and intriguing.
And as a new author to me, I would definitely read more from Donna Grant in the future.

**I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

gothai's review against another edition

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3.0

It takes place 12 years after the first book. It is instant love for Naomi and Brice when they meet at a rodeo. There is some suspense as Naomi and her friend are attacked. It was an entertaining read.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC